What to see in the Lake District

Discover the best Lake District has to offer! Instagrammable spots, amazing venues and must-see views - Lake District has it all.

Becky blog author avanti social team

By the Avanti Web Team

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3 min read | 28 May 2024

At the Lake District, there are so many breathtaking sights and fascinating attractions to take in. To help, we’ve put together a handy collection of some of the best places to see in the Lake District. Make sure to plan your trip carefully to squeeze in as many of these sights as possible.

Find the best things to see in the Lake District

There are lots of exciting sights and attractions in the Lake District, it might even be difficult to know where to start. If natural beauty is something you can appreciate, Aira Force Waterfall is a good starting point. Located in Penrith, this 65-foot waterfall is a popular sight. Visitors can walk scenic woodland trails to arrive at the beautiful waterfall. On your way, look out for red squirrels and other native creatures. There’s also a tearoom and lots of picnic spots nearby, perfect for enjoying a tasty treat or refreshment whilst on the go. Remember to take your camera with you to get some gorgeous snaps.

Aira Force Waterfall in Lake District

One of Cumbria’s most popular villages, Grasmere Village is also worth stopping to see on your visit to the Lake District. Famous for William Wordsworth, historic buildings and a booming tourism industry. There are lots of quaint gift shops and places to eat here, so you can make a day of your visit. Make sure to sample some famous Grasmere gingerbread whilst you’re there. It was invented in 1854 and has been well-loved by locals and visitors since. The Grasmere Gingerbread shop is still going strong today and is now run by third-generation owners. Grasmere Village is a must-see on your travels.

Brockhole on Windermere is an attraction where visitors can enjoy mountain views and historic gardens. Discover Brockhole House, a 19th-century home with an extensive history. Or explore the scenic gardens with beautiful views of Windermere and Langdale Pikes. Why not try your hand at something new at this exciting Lake District visitor centre? With treetop adventure experiences, watersports and more, there are plenty of activities to choose from.

Discover even more of the Lake District’s historic points at Hardknott Roman Fort. This interesting site was founded in the 2nd century under Hadrian’s rule. Here, you can see the remains of a stone bathhouse, soldiers’ barracks, stone walls and more. The fort has a history of being demilitarised and regarrisoned until it was finally abandoned in the 3rd century. A must-see for any history lovers, be sure not to miss out on this riveting attraction.

Lakeland Motor Museum is another great Lake District attraction that’s well worth a visit. This fascinating museum has over 30,000 exhibits to show the development of road transport in recent history. Collections at the museum include pieces like motorcars, motorcycles, scooters and more. Not focused on motoring alone, visitors can learn more about local history and industry. For example, take a walk down memory lane and discover historic scenes like a 1920s garage and a 1950s cafe. Just minutes from Lake Windermere, this attraction is a great place to take your family when visiting the Lake District.
Lake Windermere

Plan your Lake District trip with Avanti

Now that you know exactly what to see in the Lake District, let Avanti West Coast help you plan your journey. Make things even easier with the Avanti app, for super simple train booking and tracking.

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